The Temple cluster of schools gathered with parents, community partners and key stakeholders for a Community CONNECTion event on October 6 at Temple Middle School, showing off a freshly renovated media center and cutting the ribbon on a new STEM Innovation Lab that introduces career pathways with hands-on experiences earlier than ever before.
After informal networking time, Superintendent Dr. Jessica Ainsworth welcomed guests and showed off the Carroll County School System's freshly minted 2026 Annual Report. The report which highlights student and employee achievements from last school year was formally introduced at last month's board meeting.
Temple High School Principal Seth Rogers shared some specific connection points for the Temple cluster before dividing the audience into three groups for a feedback activity. Administrators led participants to share both areas where Temple schools are thriving and areas where they would like to see enhancements, improvements and further investment.
Finally, STEM Teacher Stephanie Covington joined school and district leaders and school board member Sandra Morris to cut the ribbon and officially open Temple Middle's new STEM Innovation Lab. The STEM lab, one of four opening this school year in phase one of a county-wide rollout, introduces middle school students to career pathways they will encounter in high school with direct, hands-on experience.
The STEM Innovation Lab concept is built on a project-based, inquiry-driven philosophy with dynamic, flexible spaces designed to foster collaboration and high-level problem solving through a three-pillar approach: investigate, design, and innovate.
Each cluster of schools in Carroll County is hosting a community connection this fall as the school district implements its 2026-27 theme: CONNECT.
